HR Manager’s Column – Episode 1: CV tips and Applying to job ads online

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Insider tips from our Head of HR and Training

This is very important as it is the company’s first impression of you, so you need to make sure it is a good one!

1. CV layout

I like a CV which is concise and to the point. Try to keep it 1 – 3 pages maximum. I do not think that you need to include copies of all your certificates, ID documents, etc. I would suggest stating your qualifications in the CV and that your transcripts or certificates are available on request.
Nowadays, there are many websites where you can download CV layouts for free, simply google free CV templates and choose a template which appeals to you, here is an example: https://www.freesumes.com/free-resume-templates-for-ms-word/
I also like a CV which has a small professional photo of the candidate, take note, professional! I think that a CV stands out when I can see the person who is applying for the position, then you are not just another piece of paper.

2. What to cover

In general, a CV should include the following information:
a. Your personal details, i.e. name, date of birth, nationality, your residential area, drivers license if applicable, languages, and most importantly, contact details!
b. Short bio/introduction of the self, experience and intention. For example, I am an X professional who has recently completed my X qualification. I have experience working in the X industry and am passionate about X.
c. I would then suggest listing your working experience, starting from the most recent. Ensure you include the company details, your title and a breakdown of your duties, the period of service and any achievements while in the position.
d. Next, I would suggest listing your education, starting from your highest qualification down to Matric, where applicable. You should also list the period or dates that you studied and the name of the institution where you obtained your qualifications.
e. Skills: list the soft skills and technical skills which you possess, i.e. do you have great communication skills? Computer skills? If so, which computer programs or platforms? i.e. MS Office and maybe you have been trained on a particular payroll software package T list that here!
f. References: it is important to list contacts which potential employers can contact regarding your experience and performance. Ideally, this would be your direct supervisor at your employer or a leader in your community, i.e. Principal from your school, who can vouch for your character and work ethic. Sometimes school leaders will help by writing you a reference letter to send to prospective employers, this helps to support your credibility.

3. Please, no spelling mistakes!

Spell check, spell check and spell check again. And once you have spell checked for the last time ask someone you trust to read through your CV to ensure your writing is free from any errors. Remember, this is the company’s first impression of you, and you want to make it a good one.

4. The importance of truthfulness and evidence

I believe very strongly about this section, and this is not only about the implications of lying on your CV (which you should not do!) but more specifically, being able to back up statements on your CV with concrete facts and justifications. For example, if you say you have great time management skills, why? If someone asked you why in the interview, would you be able to explain? You should be able to!
For every statement you make on your CV, you need to be able to back it up with a story or explanation as to why you say so. If you cannot, then maybe it should not be on in the first place.
Therefore, if you list multitasking or interpersonal skills on your CV, make sure you make some notes in your notebook about times during your studies or previous work experience which you needed to multitask or demonstrate your interpersonal skills to get the job done. A good way to do this is by explaining what was the situation or problem, what did you do that demonstrates your skill, and what was the outcome.

5. Applying to jobs online

a. You often need to create profiles on these platforms, a (professional) profile picture will make your profile stand out!
b. Ensure the information you insert matches your CV and is kept up to date
c. Make your cover letter personal to the position you are applying for, i.e. if you are applying for a customer service position, rather than stating I am applying for the position stated I the advert (which I see quite often) take two minutes to write that you are interested in the customer service position, and why, from the information you have read in the advert, you believe you are a great candidate for this position. The cover letter needs to catch the recruiter’s eye and I can easily spot the difference between a cover letter which is copy and pasted, vs one which the candidate has personalised to the position.
d. It’s tough out there! You may need to apply for 20 jobs before you get called for an interview, be prepared for this and keep trying. Do not give up!
e. If you have applied for positions online ensure you check your emails daily and keep your phone on you, if a recruiter tries to contact you and you only respond a week later, it may be too late.

South Africa Trims Repo Rate to 6.5%

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The South African Reserve Bank cut its benchmark repo rate by 25 bps to 6.5 percent on July 18th 2019, as widely expected. It was the first rate cut since March last year. Policymakers noted that inflation expectations continued to moderate and said that they will continue to focus on anchoring it near the mid-point of the inflation target range. The Committee added that future policy decisions are highly data-dependent, sensitive to the assessment of the balance of risks to the outlook.

Excerpts from the statement by Governor Lesetja Kganyago:
The inflation forecast generated by the SARB’s Quarterly Projection Model (QPM) is for headline inflation to average 4.4% in 2019 (down from 4.5%). The projections for 2020 and 2021 remain unchanged at 5.1% and 4.6%, respectively. Headline CPI inflation is expected to peak at 5.4% in the first quarter of 2020 and settle at 4.5% in the last two quarters of 2021. The forecast for core inflation is lower at 4.4% in 2019 (down from 4.5%), 4.7% in 2020 (down from 4.8%) and is unchanged at 4.5% in 2021.
Since the May MPC, the rand has appreciated by 3.3% against the US dollar, by 2.4% against the euro, and by 2.3% on a trade-weighted basis. The implied starting point for the rand is R14.30 against the US dollar, compared with R14.40 at the time of the previous meeting. At these levels, the QPM assesses the rand to remain slightly undervalued. While the rand has benefited from improved sentiment towards riskier assets, it underperformed its emerging market peers due to idiosyncratic factors.
Domestic growth prospects and fiscal risks rate high among investor concerns. GDP contracted by 3.2% in the first quarter, reflecting weakness in most sectors of the economy. The sharp quarterly decline was primarily caused by electricity shortages and strikes that fed into broader weakness in investment, household consumption and employment growth. Based on recent short term indicators for the mining and manufacturing sectors, a rebound in GDP is expected in the second quarter of 2019. Continued low business confidence remains a concern for the MPC. The Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index averaged 46.3 points in the second quarter, remaining below the neutral level. The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index remains unchanged at 28 points. The SARB’s composite leading business cycle indicator continued to trend lower.
The SARB now expects GDP growth for 2019 to average 0.6% (down from 1.0% in May). The forecast for 2020 and 2021 is unchanged at 1.8% and 2.0% respectively. The MPC assesses the risks to the growth forecast to be balanced in the near term but remains concerned about longer-term risks. Investment prospects will continue to be limited in the absence of structural reforms. The escalation of trade tensions could have further negative impacts. While some cyclical factors constrained recent GDP growth outcomes, the Committee remains of the view that current challenges facing the economy are primarily structural in nature and cannot be resolved by monetary policy alone. Implementation of prudent macroeconomic policies together with structural reforms that raise potential growth and lower the cost structure of the economy remains urgent.
The overall risks to the inflation outlook are assessed to be largely balanced. Demand-side pressures are subdued, wages and rental prices are expected to increase at moderate rates and global inflation should remain low. In the absence of shocks, relative exchange rate stability is expected to continue.
Against this backdrop, the MPC unanimously decided to reduce the repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 6.5% per annum with effect from 19 July 2019. Monetary policy actions will continue to focus on anchoring inflation expectations near the mid-point of the inflation target range in the interest of balanced and sustainable growth. In this persistently uncertain environment, future policy decisions will continue to be highly data-dependent, sensitive to the assessment of the balance of risks to the outlook, and will seek to look-through temporary price shocks.
Source: https://tradingeconomics.com/

Jail Time for Lying on your CV

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The South African job market is tough, so much so, that a high number of people have resorted to lying about their qualification just to secure a good job or promotion, however, lying on your CV could soon lend you in some really hot water.

Staying out of prison used to be really easy. Don’t partake in criminal activities, don’t drive drunk, don’t smoke pot in public. Now you could get sentenced to up to 5 years in jail for misrepresenting your qualifications on your CV.

The National Council of Provinces recently passed the National Qualifications Framework Amendment Bill and it may soon be passed as a law. This will mean if you get caught lying about your qualifications on your CV, you could score yourself a criminal record.

The purpose of this article is to help you stay out of trouble so here are some tips to make sure your CV is not a crime.

Don’t overstate your qualification

Do not say you have a BCom when you have a Diploma, or say you have a PhD when you have an Honours. Many people may feel tempted to embellish the level of their qualification to enhance their chances of landing a dream job. Misrepresenting your qualification will not only cost you a great job opportunity but may soon land you behind bars.

Incomplete is NOT Complete

Many people for many different reasons could not complete their studies. Some are only a few credits short of getting their qualification. If you are going to add a qualification you have not yet completed, then please put the word incomplete next to it as to not give the wrong impression to your potential employer. This one, by the way, is one of the most common lies people tell on their CVs.

 

By a lie, a man… annihilates his dignity as a man.

Immanuel Kant

 

Don’t buy it

There is very little you cannot buy online these days. Shopping for a fake qualification has become incredibly easy of late. As you seek to enhance your career and step into more senior roles that require certain credentials, resist the temptation to purchase a “qualification” online. Please register with an accredited institution and get your qualification the right way. Check with SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) if you are not sure whether or not the institution you want to register with is accredited.

Stay truthful

Most job seekers are aware of the phrase ‘skills matching’. When people write their CVs they try their hardest to mimic everything on the job spec of the role they are applying for. There is an authentic way of doing this without exaggerating your skills or claiming you have skills you actually do not have. That is why it is always best to leave this to the professionals, skilled CV writers can enhance your profile and properly articulate your abilities in such a way that you do not need to lie to pad your CV. There is no need to put false qualifications on your CV and potentially land in jail, it will be very hard to land a decent job with a criminal record. Rather let the professionals help you sell yourself truthfully.

 

Source: https://elite-cv.com/